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Mind Body Zen: Waking Up to Your Life (Paperback)

Description

In Mind Body Zen, long-time Zen student, world-renowned Rolfer, and former philosophy professor Jeffrey Maitland combines his expertise across the mind-body-zen spectrum to help bridge the East-West gap in spiritual practice.

Tackling the prevailing misconception that Zen is a philosophy, Maitland provides an in-depth explanation of why Zen is an eminently practical, grounded discipline. He emphasizes the power of simple, direct experience that lies at the heart of Zen. Maitland’s training in philosophy as well as bodywork distinguishes Mind Body Zen from many other books on the market. Drawing on his Rolfing expertise and years of applied meditation practice, he also offers techniques for healers across many systems and disciplines to more effectively work with their clients. Threaded throughout these discussions are the insights of Joshu Sasaki Roshi, founder of Mt. Baldy Zen Center, best known by some as Leonard Cohen’s teacher, still actively teaching at age 102 but whose work has rarely been published. Mind Body Zen will appeal to the growing number of Western Buddhists and spiritual seekers interested in Zen or meditation. Somatic therapists, psychotherapists, and healers of every persuasion will also find the connection between Zen and healing to be of great interest.

About the Author

Hokaku Jeffrey Maitland, PhD, is an ordained Zen monk, an energy healer, and Certified Advanced Rolfer, one of seven Certified Advanced Rolfing Instructors in the world. A former professor of philosophy at Purdue University, he lives in Scottsdale, AZ.

Preface contributor Harold D. Roth, an expert on Taoism, is a professor of philosophy at Brown University and the author of "Original Tao."

Praise For…

“Maitland gives us a work that is profound, insightful, and informative, and gives a wider audience access to his understanding of one of the great unknown traditions of Zen practice and philosophy.”—Kendo Hal Roth, author of Original Tao, from the preface

“Dr. Jeffrey Maitland is a talented practitioner, author, and lecturer. This book emulates his life as I see him in action. He moves, writes, teaches, and practices in a quiet stillness that commands great respect from the elements and his fellow beings. Being a physician, author, and lecturer myself, I have learned to seek and learn from the best. . . . Part of my healing comes from the concepts taught in this book. The pages unfold a practice that brings peace and tranquility to those that learn the art of Zen regardless of your religion or profession. This is the third book of Dr. Maitland’s that I have read and utilized in my life and practice.”—John W. Brimhall, DC

“In these essays, Hokaku Jeffrey Maitland draws upon his experience as a Zen practitioner, philosopher, and pioneering somatic practitioner to clarify the principles behind Nyorai Zen—not through studies of discrete aspects of Zen practice but by addressing the whole. Mind Body Zen captures the spirit of the teachings of Zen master Kyozan Joshu, and is a compassionate call to practice—to know for oneself the beauty of what Joshu Roshi calls our true home.”—Genyo Christopher Burawa, poet, translator, director of the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts at Austin Peay State University, and author of The Small Mystery of Lapses

“Mind Body Zen is a pick for collections strong in Zen Buddhism and philosophy… Long-time Zen student and former philosophy professor uses this blend of mind-body experience and Zen knowledge to bridge East/West gaps in thinking.” —Midwest Book Review